How to Disassemble and Maintain a Fat PS3

[@DeepStone-6]

This is like Woody getting fixed by the old man in Toy Story 2.

[@Julian1999psx]

*2

[@matthewflores3449]

Just realized your the only youtuber I've seen actually remove the top properly.

[@jeremyrbaker230]

I bought a ps3 CECHA01 in November of 2018, I use this video every 1-2 years. This is the best one by far.

[@jeremyrbaker230]

Thanks for the heart!!!!!!! I LOVE the music at the beginning, very fitting. That rocky clip I think it is in the middle is very satisfying lol sort of a sense of accomplishment.

[@nsaneaf4982]

@@jeremyrbaker230 Thanks was willing to do it on mine, I bought the 40gb models when it released like 14 years ago, it work, but I really want to conserve it because some games can't be played on my ps5 and the new ratchet and clank just released, but I want to do tools of destruction for the first time and the other games after before starting the new one.

[@nsaneaf4982]

@J.R.'s Reviews still working fine, plays some guitar hero on it, I still not disassemblied it because I don't get so many time right now.

[@Spooky711B]

Is the CECHA01 much different than the one in the video internally?

[@awsomestleaperd78]

@@Spooky711B the one in the video IS the CECHA01

[@Los_da_gamer]

I remember my first time disassembling and attempting to clean out my PlayStation. I was legit terrified because it was only me in my room trying to teach myself how to do everything properly. Plus at the time, i didn't understand that the heatsink needed to be cleaned out alongside the fan. Now about 5-6 years later, it's a piece of cake disassembling the PS3, PS4, and PS5 to clean them out. All it takes is a little knowledge, patience, and confidence to get the job done efficiently.

[@berniemackattack86]

Have you done any actual repairs ? Or just cleaned / maintenance ? And are you in socal ?

[@NastieAndie]

The reflections with Jean Claude Van Damme fighting made my fuckin' year...

[@SaycoPworrell]

Awesome. Just replaced my NEC/Tokin capacitor and 60gb backward compatible is working flawlessly.

[@adolfosalazar4516]

What does that capacitor?

[@Freeman935]

@@adolfosalazar4516 YLOD

[@carlosvalderrama7438]

I did it too to my CECHA01 and its working fine since the replacement 8 monts ago. This console is truly a beast love it

[@sdmalpas]

I'm about to perform this operation...I knew nothing about this capacitor problem. is it straight forward to fix? what are everyone's thoughts on possible reflowing the board aswell. I want to make sure I do everything properly first time.

[@gabrielbrouwer]

Chromium don’t reflow it, that is a temporary fix that will ruin your hardware in the long run. A guide on how to replace the capacitors can be found on the PS3 Reddit page.

[@superdunninger]

This is a great video and the music is great also!

[@rotorhead_al4629]

In case anyone wants to know, the song is Night Stalker by Wave Saver

[@crowningchristopher8273]

Beautiful production friend 😊. I have been dreading opening up my fatty as I have only refurbed slim models in the past and I knew the fatty is more complicated. You make it look easier than I thought. Thanks!

[@samb5327]

I’m amazed they still function with so little paste and run games

[@discretecinema8451]

Honestly for how old the console was and never being opened before it was relatively clean

[@mathewakad2861]

Consoles and PCs don't get nearly as dirty as you think if dusted down and cared for about once a month or week

[@naughtydog9843]

@@mathewakad2861 I learned this the other day with my OG Xbox, opened it up to upgrade my hard rive and the needed cable to use the modern drive and I really was amazed how clean it was. Last time It was opened was to put my mod chip back in the early 2000s! I dust weekly and when not in extended use my consoles are sealed in plastic storage boxes.

[@autolife2785]

I had the 80 gig CECHE01 give me the Yellow light of death a year ago. I attempted repairing it twice, but with no luck. It I think already had it before I got it, because I saw the warranty sticker was not on it when I got it. It would use to get loud, and shut off a bunch, and then one day when it did shut off, I saw the light turn Yellow just before it did. Now I got a CECHG01 model (non-backwards compatible) fat. So far, I'm pretty impressed by it. It's super quiet, and doesn't make much noise. I got it sitting out in a well ventilated area with nothing in it's surroundings to block air flow, I got it lifted on little wood blocks to keep the fan off the surface it's sitting on (since it's located underneath the console) and I got a small mini fan coming that I may have blow cool air into the side vents just to keep cool air flowing through it. It's barely been used by the previous owner, and it was made in November 2007. Never been tampered or messed with inside.

[@ADNiesley]

This video got my system all the way down to the motherboard and fully cleaned out before getting it back together and functioning better than ever! Thanks!

[@ajwetz1097]

The bloodsport overlay got me to subscribe. That was great stuff that was just an extra added bonus to a good teardown video. Keep up that good stuff my guy!!

[@guy1ncognit0]

Great video! I'm picking up an A01 for $60 from a lady on craigslist who used it as a blu ray player for a few years and never played games on it. I've never opened up a console before but I want it to last, so I'm gonna give this a shot and cross my fingers I don't destroy a piece of gaming history.

[@alexmierzynski5325]

This video truly inspired me to make the Ultimate PS3 from my still working CECHA01. I plan to dust out the internals, replace the token capacitors, de-lid the CPU and GPU; applying arctic silver above and under, install a 1.5 terabyte drive, install a 19 blade fan, replace the power supply with an APS-226. And do all of this in an environment that is completely free of electrostatic discharge. I have one broken ps3 (I got at a garage sale) that I can practice the operation on. I have zero experience whatsoever with any of this, so I’ll spend the next month reading every applicable forum and guide I can find. Wish me good luck guys. P.s. Love the Bloodsport addition :) Update: The Ultimate PS3 will be realized on December 31, 2021. Final preparations are being made. I’m transferring all my PS1 and PS2 memory card save data through an adapter.

[@alexmierzynski5325]

^ And maybe rest the PS3 on four 1’ tall chrome legs for better air circulation

[@RETROCUTION]

@@alexmierzynski5325 sounds awesome!

[@mandibiedermann2246]

Good luck 😉🙏👏

[@cuttrogue]

Update?

[@TheSubZero187]

I wish I had that PS3 model. I’ve been looking for a good deal on one. I want it to be my main PS3 so I can play my PS2 games on it. And I would pay someone to fix it up and have it running good as new. I don’t trust myself with that stuff as much. My slim model from 2009 has started to not read 5% of discs so far. Mainly my copy of Stranglehold. Which will never get remastered. PS5 won’t be backwards compatible with PS3 and below so I want to do that. Update: ending doing what I said I wanted.

[@BenjiDWJ]

An awesome very in-depth detailed & thorough video. I’ll be using this as a point of reference for tearing down, maintaining and resembling my own fat PS3 in the very near foreseeable future. Thank you very much for taking the time to make it! 😄🤘🤘🎮

[@X-RAGE]

I bought a 19 blade talismoon whisper fan a few years ago and i will receive my fat ceche PS3 soon i cant wait receiving it and maintaining it, the Early Fat PS2 compatible PS3 are probably the best console ever made despite the NEC TOKIN issue I still remember when it was released in 2006 it was the most beautiful console sony ever made with the PS5 standard edition

[@CaesarBest]

Great help. I have this same model and cleaned it out yesterday, it's much more quiet now.

[@EyeGore22]

awesome dirty! glad you see you have a youtube now!

[@luisvelez958]

35 seconds in a I already know this is the video I've been looking for . thanks man !

[@lindsaywilmoth3747]

I just spent some bucks on a barely used e model. It is almost like brand new. I did the exact same service you did with new fan and battery and new thermal paste. One thing I regret is not getting it delided also in the process. I'm hoping that it will stay cool enough to keep working. I love these machines.

[@princegroove]

I’ve three of these futuristic gaming machines in my collection, fortunately. Your video will help me keep them alive and kicking for a long time, hopefully.

[@Beanso]

Jeeesus man. This multi shot production was on point! Some of those shots were well planned. And who doesn’t like bloodsport? 😎

[@rodrich182]

Thanks. As someone who wishes to play his ps3 30 years from now, this videos are gold. Whether you like or not, if you want to keep your ps3 working it is necessary to learn all this.

[@glutenfree8348]

Just bought a PS3 and want to keep it for life. What are your favourite games?

[@dennis_s]

​@@glutenfree8348 i know im not the guy u asked, and that uve probably already found some favorites from searching on ur own, but give the LittleBigPlanet series a try. it's my favorite game series from childhood

[@UncannyEXP]

Found a PS3 in need of a deep clean, this video will help immensely.

[@DewlayLomo]

Took mine’s apart to reapply thermal paste. Sony was really cheap with the paste! Thanks for the video!

[@DanTheDadd]

This was probably one of the best videos I’ve watched. Please continue to upload more and don’t stop 👍👍👍

[@cacadodo666]

Top notch. The music, the detail. Kept the mood up perfectly.thx!!

[@NintendOttawa]

Can you leave a list of materials used? (e.g. thermal paste, battery holder adhesive, etc.) thanks.

[@tonyf5695]

Yet another totally superbly presented video, a complete contrast in presentation to the Gamecube/Xeno install video which itself was unbelievably good, this one has brilliant music and as others have pointed out, it complements the video perfectly. I have one of these beasts, I bought it brand new many years ago, it always ran like a dream, never a hitch and it still has the original firmware, I put it back in it's original packaging when I bought the PS4. I loved the first 3 Playstations, but the PS4 was a bit of a disappointment, to me at least, apart from the PS3 game reproductions like Uncharted. Your such an inspiration man, I really want to get it back out and try it again, but after 5 years or more sat in it's box - I don't know whether it'd be OK, but whatever, excellent video, that's the second one I have watched and I look forward to seeing the rest, many thanks.

[@shannonhoward5979]

Mine was slightly different. But this helped figure it out with no damage done. Thanks bro. Keep up the great work.

[@lutoveti967]

HOLD UP HOLD UP! Paused @ 01:28 Security screw just dropped. Before I really got into the video. I just was wanted to say, FINALLY! Some dope ass music that jams and actually compliments the video!!

[@dominicaaaaa5547]

This is great you are very impressive, i wish i could do stuff like this, wanting to play ps2 games on my fat ps3 but its SO loud and so warm and i have no technical / mechanical skills at all. The dog actually pissed all over my ps3 years ago whilst i was playing a game so i am very surprised it works lol.

[@casualghoul]

I just found your channel absolutely love your videos! I’m trying to get into the console repair/restoration/modding scene and your videos are inspiring! Love the music and camera work 🤙🏼

[@RETROCUTION]

Thanks man

[@PlayStationNegroGameri2CROSS]

This is the most epic tear down I have ever seen 😅

[@philipayers7471]

I just got one of these a couple of days ago. Will probably never open it unless she gives me problems but if I have to I'm coming here to this video.

[@matthewflores3449]

So I have awesome news man!!! The guy pulled threw and was able to get me a functional A01. He is honestly an angel for helping me out as much as he has already.

[@Dekerus]

Damn Bro! Amazingly done, awesome video. Thank you for the upload.

[@goldenst8ofmind102]

loved how u put Bloodsport in this lol

[@lain328]

As an update I would recommend doing a delid and new CELL/RSX capacitors. And as an extra benefit go to custom firmware to have better fan controls.

[@garrettlane6715]

Thank you for this video! Just bought a working CECH-A01 on Ebay and can't wait to do some preventative maintenance.

[@waltersobchak7275]

Be careful I'm on my 3rd in three weeks. Fixing to try the third one now the other two were power on power off situation. I paid 230 for one and 240 for the other and both were DOA.Got the refund on both of them, I hope I don't need to do it this one. Paid 300 for this one and I'm fixing to find out found out whether the extra money means shit or not. Oh my God it does work this thing is freaking awesome I've never seen PS2 game look like this in my life I like this

[@dangerpowers123]

Love the music ..reminds me of Turrican on the Amiga

[@stevenlobanov]

Mate my PS3 doesn't have that little iron piece to pull on 1:03 and continue with the process. In fact it looks completely different inside, how should I open it?

[@guristaex3119]

Amazing video. Love the background music and seeing Bloodsport was just epic. ❤️

[@RETROCUTION]

Thank you

[@Bboyman1150]

I have the CECHL01 not backwards compatible PS3 fat and it crazy how the cooling system is completely different. Mine has two giant aluminum heatsinks instead of these tiny ones with heatpipes

[@anhonestreviewer7015]

Damn, it's more solidly built than a PS4 Pro.

[@EvanLacy]

Thank you so much for this video! Applied new thermal paste to my PS3 Fat

[@antemlikota8760]

Ok so, the tutorial itself is absolutely great, but the thing that got me the most in the video was the music xD, especially the Bloodsport nod on the metal shield. If you would've put rocky 4 in there as well my mind would explode haha 😂. Got goosebumps all over listening to it 😁, great job!

[@sanctuaryiii1924]

Outstanding work

[@archiveoddball4761]

Great video came in really useful. Love the track (Night Stalker / wave Saver) **for those asking**

[@DaveBudness]

that 80's music so good.. im looking for a phat PS3

[@hawkfeather6802]

Great video! I'll definitely watch again to when I tear down mine

[@csi2448]

Damn good video! I booted up my OG 60gb earlier for the first time in a couple years and it's definitely time for a cleaning. If you offered a cleaning service, I bet a bunch of us would easily pay for it. With that being said, how much would you charge to clean mine?! Lol

[@davidguzman7472]

Great video man! I just got a CECHK01 PS3 and actually did a complete maintenance on it too! With CFW installed too, best looking game console I've ever owned! Gonna do my best to take care of it lol

[@chasonthedon]

It’s crazy to think that he did all this work in a little over 15 minutes.

[@jangobango2847]

Its called editing

[@the_game_cartridge9187]

This video shows that the original ps3 models are reliable, you just need to look after them very carefully. Lots of people say these models are unreliable but the systems were net looked after well enough

[@sylamy7457]

Anything can be reliable if you look after it a lot, for something to be reliable you shouldn't have to look at it a lot, so you can RELY on it

[@the_game_cartridge9187]

@@sylamy7457 this is the case in a xbox 360 fat that I have, its just turned 12 years old and it works flawlessly, but I do take very good care of it.

[@the_game_cartridge9187]

Great job 👍 this ps3 has been very well looked after

[@philliphoward5113]

This is a great informative video on looking after one's PlayStation 3 the teardown of it was done taking great care this is a great point of reference material thanks awesome inspiration for doing it ourselves

[@patexi1289]

i went a bit further and also delidded the cpu and gpu as well as some third chip, and replaced the thermal paste on the top as well as the bottom of the heat spreaders.

[@RETROCUTION]

Awesome! I'll probably do that when I open my ps3 again, too.

[@CalveZilla9]

​@@RETROCUTION Is it necessary to delid? I'm currently about to reapply thermal paste. Can I get away with just cleaning old paste off and reapplying new thermal paste every year or 2 instead of risking things with delidding?

[@Ellery28]

I never thought that watching a console repair video would make me feel like I was in Tron... lol

[@johnblue5686]

what is name music from video?

[@CarsandCats]

I've got one next to longest case screw and can't figure out where it goes? All of the holes in the top are full (where arrows are). I bet it holds the board to the bottom.... oh well, sucker works now. Brought it back from a YLOD with a heat gun.

[@MrJavig99]

Very relaxing your videos, I salute you from México

[@el_martinez3275]

The ps3 needs a little more thermal paste than the normal amount shown in the video since it generates mate heat quickly. But that amount is fine since to much thermal paste is bad because you don’t want the thermal paste to absorb all the heat instead of the heat sink.

[@RETROCUTION]

Yes, you're right. These chips do need a good amount of paste. The amount looks smaller in the video than it really was. I also recommend doing the X technique or spreading it to make sure you get a good spread on these PS3s.

[@marcuswalker3631]

We can rebuild it gentlemen. Make it faster. Stronger.

[@aelistarborn]

Can you describe a bit more in detail what you did at 11:03 with the small battery change and also which items/materials you used there (preferably with a link to where to buy them). Thank you very much!

[@RETROCUTION]

No problem. The CMOS battery in the ps3 is a coin cell, but the stock one is a sealed battery with a connector. So instead of having to find one of those to replace it with, I just cut the connector off and soldered it onto a battery socket to allow me to use a regular 2032 battery you can find anywhere. This socket is different than the one I used in the video, but it would actually work better than the one I used: amzn.to/3ia0a6Q

[@jacknedry3925]

The size of the fan always surprises me.

[@CarsandCats]

Great video! Helped me take apart my PS3 Fat. I got stuck in a couple places.

[@MacGuyverr]

Hi im trying to diagnose a red light failure upon start up, and i found your video. at 8:18 there are pads on the large black chips on the back that are not on my unit i just purchased. Other videos and pictures do not show these covered with pads. Do you have any input as to why these are covered? Thanks!

[@RETROCUTION]

Not sure, but this is a completely untouched console in the video. That's how it was from the factory.

[@PrsnmanGaming]

What did you use to clean off the old thermal paste? Was it just alcohol?

[@RETROCUTION]

yeah, 99.9% IPA

[@PrsnmanGaming]

@@RETROCUTION Thank you

[@MrSuperVikingo]

Excellent tutorial and soundtrack! I have some time off from work and plan to clean, and replace the thermal paste on two of my launch day PS3’s. 🔥

[@RETROCUTION]

Nice! I know I used MX4 in the video, but I like Arctic Silver 5 better for the PS3. Make sure to put a nice sized pea, and you should be golden.

[@sharebear421]

Sorry for the noob question but where exactly is the fan located and the ps2 parts located? I’m just asking because when I turn on my a01 for about the first 5-10 minutes I sort of have this zzzzz or buzzing sound coming from what I believe is the back right of the console if you’re looking at it from the front (I can hear it on each side but it’s loud listening to the right vent side)

[@w0lf4llo84]

Hey, I know I’m four years late and you may never respond.. but where can I find that CMOS battery holder? I’ve tried looking for it on eBay as I have extra CR2032 batteries and the current one in my system is dead (same model as yours). Do you know what I’d be able to search up to find this? Thank you for reading this and have a great day :D

[@RETROCUTION]

amzn.to/3ia0a6Q this is different than the one I used in the video, but this should actually work better, probably.

[@w0lf4llo84]

@@RETROCUTION thank you so much! Happy new years :D

[@RETROCUTION]

@@w0lf4llo84 I would probably remove that power switch, and short out the connection to make sure it's always ON. Other than that, that should work great. Solder the connector from the original battery to it and mount it in place. Happy New Year to you, too.

[@Pointman11111]

Holy hell this ps3 looks like new Very nice for a 60gb model

[@um236]

Is that all the thermal paste needed? Damn....i used the whole tube. I hope that wasnt too much.

[@sealifett8395]

Too much will reduce cooling

[@NeoJ4K3]

what about replacing the bearings in a 19 blade? i recently had to go back to a 15 blade because my 19 blade makes a horrific racket from the bearings...

[@floydmobile3325]

well, the 19 blade fan is worse than 15 blade why? the 15 blade has bigger blades + smaller center thing (im still learning english), and weaker magnets so it spins much easier

[@mayanking213]

EPIC cleanup!

[@hooliganismx2151]

Damm hands down best ps3 video I’ve seen great edit on the video too enjoyed every min of it now real question is may I send u my ps3 so I can get the same treatment as yours did lol

[@exploark8466]

I just found one in a abandoned property works 100 fine coolest system I now got 4 generations of playstation between two system

[@RomeGoLARGE]

Feels good to be the 400th Like! Great video my guy!

[@sammytiel]

Please show which screws to use next time. It's hard to see what each screw is if you just cut to screwing/unscrewing them in.

[@ThatOldSchoolMagic]

This guide wasn’t bad but there was two errors near the end that didn’t work on my console so i had to go to another video for help. Also you skipped something near the end that goes in front of the disc drive but overall good video.

[@mario6279]

I love how those warranty stickers peel off clean 😂 at this point my suspicion is that every PlayStation has been broken into

[@harrisontashjian752]

Wait, why would you put in a 19 blade fan if the blades are shorter and the hub is larger, wouldn't the fan have less intake space and move about the same amount of air due to its shorter blades. I may be wrong here though, if someone did just the fan swap and did not change the thermal paste and the 19 is quieter. I would agree that it's better, but this video is not evidence because too many variables were changed other than the fan. The system was cleaned, the thermal paste was replaced, the heatsink might have different mounting pressure then before. Does anyone have any scientific proof of the 19 blade fan being better?

[@bozolozo21]

How much would you charge if I send you my PS3 for maintenance cleaning?

[@ibapreppie]

Typically 80 bucks in Ohio

[@dreamer_prince900]

Problem with early fat models is the GPU. Soldering balls expand due to heat which fails at the end with yellow light of death

[@TMR147]

That was one clean ass PS3, def didn’t need maintenance. But great video!! You got my sub!!

[@kimowrx8244]

Bought a cecha01 and ps2 slim together for 50$ at a flea market. Sold the slim for 70$ so I got my money back. However, I had a good feeling about the ps3 as the warranty sticker was intact. Everything seems to be working on it without any issues. May have it do this in the future if I plan to use it. Thanks for the video!

[@mixmastermacaroni]

Love the bloodsport scene lol just put a ssd in mine runs so fast mind blown. It's like the hdd was holding back it's true potential.

[@mariodiy4517]

Would you also recommend upgrading the psu to one from a newer model that runs cooler. Do you know the model number? Thanks

[@salvi016]

didnt do the most important step which is replace the thermal paste under the heat spreader, thet thermal compound in their is still the old stuff so the new stuff can only really do as much as the older stuff underneath.

[@EVOLLOVEx]

the name...................is dr dr dr .......... dis dis dis ........ respect spect spect............... and your lookin at the 2 time back to back console repairing champion and true...... international video gaming console technician.....

[@JasonMeeks79]

I should have done a video of my cleaning. I got my PS3 off a sale site. It's a wonder it didn't start on fire with the dust bunnies in it. I do have to do the battery mod when my sockets come in. Same socket works for GameCube

[@StartersofRage]

In lieu of recent events, I'm considering also replacing the CMOS battery along with the fan and adding a bigger harddrive. Did you also replace the battery or are going to soon now that the storefront for PS3 is going away?

[@RETROCUTION]

Yeah I replaced the battery with a coin cell holder for easy battery replacements in the future.

[@ThatOldSchoolMagic]

@@RETROCUTION 11:03 Where did you find that holder that has the wire & plug that goes into the socket and can you post the link from where you purchased it. I’m sure you already know the reason why some people are asking for more info on it these days.

[@RETROCUTION]

@@ThatOldSchoolMagic I cut the connector from the original battery and soldered it onto the battery holder. It's not something you can buy like that.

[@thegreatjonzini]

Nice I have to do this to my PS3 soon. Thank you!

[@jmoney4708]

Doing too much unplugging every thing I feel like if I try to do that I’m gonna break something or put it back together wrong

[@Seanpiterpater]

Thanks man! PS3 seems to run much smoother... and quieter. Replaced HDD with SSD also. Just wish i could speed up the download speeds

[@RETROCUTION]

Yeah the network speed on these isnt very good. When I used to mod these for people I would transfer ISOs over FTP with ethernet it would take 2-3 days! Glad to hear your PS3 is running good!

[@MITSI1991]

Where were you able to purchase the 19 blade fan? Really want to upgrade mine

[@RETROCUTION]

Sometimes you can find them on eBay. I had one in my parts bin from an old broken console.

[@MITSI1991]

@@RETROCUTION right on! Mines an original 60gb that ive taken care of for a very long time. But as most tech its aged on the inside. So i went in and cleaned it out and did maintenance to it. Got rid of that crappy thermal paste and put on the Arctic silver. Next i need to get new thermal padding since the other stuffs just junk. But a nice new fan would make a bug difference. I dont play it much anymore but its still fun to boot up once in awhile and play those old games.